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Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro Saturday feted the abolition of European visa restrictions for citizens after almost 18 years as a return of the Balkans to the continent. "So it works! Serbian citizens can really cross the border without visas," said Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic early Saturday after crossing the border with Hungary.
Since the first minutes of Saturday (2300 GMT Friday), citizens of the three former Yugoslav republics who have a biometric passport can travel visa-free to EU countries, except Britain and Ireland, which are not a part of the Schengen zone. Visas had been introduced as the former Yugoslav communist federation was dissolving in a series of bloody wars in early 1990s.
"We have fought for that. We needed almost 20 years, but it's better late than never," Jeremic told Serbian state television. "Today, Serbia is closer to Europe than it was yesterday." All three republics aspire to join the European Union: Macedonia has been a candidate since 2005, Montenegro has applied in December 2008, while the Serbian government will meet later Saturday to decide when to submit its candidacy.
The interior ministers of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia congratulated their citizens in a joint statement, saying they could rejoin the "European family." "This is a strong encouragement for the integration of the Western Balkans towards the EU," they said. In Skopje, thousands of people celebrated in the centre of the capital despite the freezing cold as Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski hailed an "historic moment."
"The wall of visas has fallen for Macedonia. It is great, even though I will not travel anywhere since I have no money," said 20-year old Macedonian student Slavco Ivanov. "I know now that when I will be able to travel, I would not have to wait in lines in front of the embassies and gather tons of documents to obtain a visa," he said.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009

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